---
name: telnyx-import-retell
description: >-
  Import Retell AI agents into Telnyx — both single-prompt and multi-prompt
  configurations. Preserves instructions, voice settings, tools, and call
  analysis. Supports all SDK languages.
user_invocable: true
metadata:
  author: telnyx
  product: import-retell
  compatibility: "Requires a Telnyx API key and a Retell API key stored as a Telnyx integration secret."
---

# Import Retell Agents into Telnyx

Migrate your Retell AI agents to Telnyx in minutes. The import API pulls agent configurations directly from Retell using your API key and recreates them as Telnyx AI Assistants. Both single-prompt and multi-prompt Retell agents are supported.

**Interaction model**: Collect the user's Telnyx API key and Retell API key, store the Retell key as a Telnyx integration secret, run the import, then verify. Do NOT skip the secret-creation step — the import endpoint requires a secret reference, not a raw key.

## What Gets Imported

| Component | Imported? | Notes |
|-----------|-----------|-------|
| Instructions | Yes | Imported as-is (both single and multi-prompt) |
| Greeting / first message | Yes | Maps to assistant `greeting` |
| Voice configuration | Yes | Voice provider and voice ID preserved |
| Dynamic variables | Yes | Default values carried over |
| Tools (hangup, transfer, webhook) | Yes | Tool definitions and configurations |
| MCP Server integrations | Yes | Server URLs and tool mappings |
| Call analysis / insights | Yes | Mapped to `insight_settings` |
| Data retention preferences | Yes | Mapped to `privacy_settings` |
| Knowledge base | **No** | Must be manually added post-import |
| Secrets (API keys in tools) | **Partial** | Placeholder secrets created — you must re-enter values in the Telnyx portal |

## Prerequisites

1. **Telnyx API key** — get one at https://portal.telnyx.com/#/app/api-keys
2. **Retell API key** — from your Retell dashboard
3. Store the Retell API key as a Telnyx integration secret at https://portal.telnyx.com/#/app/integration-secrets

## Step 1: Store Your Retell API Key as a Telnyx Secret

Before importing, store your Retell API key as an integration secret in Telnyx. Note the secret reference name (e.g., `retell_api_key`) — you'll use it in the import call.

You can create integration secrets via the Telnyx Portal under **Integration Secrets**, or via the API.

## Step 2: Import All Retell Agents

Import every agent from your Retell account:

### curl

```bash
curl \
  -X POST \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TELNYX_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
  "provider": "retell",
  "api_key_ref": "retell_api_key"
}' \
  "https://api.telnyx.com/v2/ai/assistants/import"
```

### Python

```python
import os
from telnyx import Telnyx

client = Telnyx(api_key=os.environ.get("TELNYX_API_KEY"))

assistants = client.ai.assistants.imports(
    provider="retell",
    api_key_ref="retell_api_key",
)

for assistant in assistants.data:
    print(f"Imported: {assistant.name} (ID: {assistant.id})")
```

### JavaScript

```javascript
import Telnyx from 'telnyx';

const client = new Telnyx();

const assistants = await client.ai.assistants.imports({
  provider: 'retell',
  api_key_ref: 'retell_api_key',
});

for (const assistant of assistants.data) {
  console.log(`Imported: ${assistant.name} (ID: ${assistant.id})`);
}
```

### Go

```go
assistants, err := client.AI.Assistants.Imports(context.TODO(), telnyx.AIAssistantImportsParams{
    Provider:  telnyx.AIAssistantImportsParamsProviderRetell,
    APIKeyRef: "retell_api_key",
})
if err != nil {
    panic(err.Error())
}
for _, a := range assistants.Data {
    fmt.Printf("Imported: %s (ID: %s)\n", a.Name, a.ID)
}
```

### Java

```java
import com.telnyx.sdk.models.ai.assistants.AssistantImportsParams;
import com.telnyx.sdk.models.ai.assistants.AssistantsList;

AssistantImportsParams params = AssistantImportsParams.builder()
    .provider(AssistantImportsParams.Provider.RETELL)
    .apiKeyRef("retell_api_key")
    .build();
AssistantsList assistants = client.ai().assistants().imports(params);
assistants.getData().forEach(a ->
    System.out.printf("Imported: %s (ID: %s)%n", a.getName(), a.getId()));
```

### Ruby

```ruby
assistants = client.ai.assistants.imports(
  provider: :retell,
  api_key_ref: "retell_api_key"
)

assistants.data.each do |a|
  puts "Imported: #{a.name} (ID: #{a.id})"
end
```

## Step 2 (Alternative): Import Specific Agents

To import only certain agents, pass their Retell agent IDs in `import_ids`:

### curl

```bash
curl \
  -X POST \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $TELNYX_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
  "provider": "retell",
  "api_key_ref": "retell_api_key",
  "import_ids": ["retell-agent-id-1", "retell-agent-id-2"]
}' \
  "https://api.telnyx.com/v2/ai/assistants/import"
```

### Python

```python
assistants = client.ai.assistants.imports(
    provider="retell",
    api_key_ref="retell_api_key",
    import_ids=["retell-agent-id-1", "retell-agent-id-2"],
)
```

### JavaScript

```javascript
const assistants = await client.ai.assistants.imports({
  provider: 'retell',
  api_key_ref: 'retell_api_key',
  import_ids: ['retell-agent-id-1', 'retell-agent-id-2'],
});
```

## Step 3: Verify the Import

List your Telnyx assistants to confirm the import succeeded:

### curl

```bash
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer $TELNYX_API_KEY" \
  "https://api.telnyx.com/v2/ai/assistants"
```

### Python

```python
assistants = client.ai.assistants.list()
for a in assistants.data:
    print(f"{a.name} — {a.id} — imported: {a.import_metadata}")
```

### JavaScript

```javascript
const assistants = await client.ai.assistants.list();
for (const a of assistants.data) {
  console.log(`${a.name} — ${a.id} — imported:`, a.import_metadata);
}
```

## Step 4: Post-Import Checklist

After importing, complete these manual steps:

1. **Re-enter secrets** — Any API keys referenced by tools were imported as placeholders. Go to https://portal.telnyx.com/#/app/integration-secrets and supply the actual values.
2. **Add knowledge bases** — Knowledge base content is not imported. Upload files or add URLs in the assistant's Knowledge Base settings.
3. **Assign a phone number** — Connect a Telnyx phone number to your imported assistant to start receiving calls.
4. **Test the assistant** — Use the Telnyx assistant testing API or make a test call to verify behavior.

## Re-importing

Running the import again for the same Retell agents will **overwrite** the existing Telnyx copies with the latest configuration from Retell. This is useful for syncing changes during a gradual migration.

## API Reference

| Field | Type | Required | Description |
|-------|------|----------|-------------|
| `provider` | string | Yes | Must be `"retell"` |
| `api_key_ref` | string | Yes | Name of the Telnyx integration secret containing your Retell API key |
| `import_ids` | array[string] | No | Specific Retell agent IDs to import. Omit to import all. |

Endpoint: `POST https://api.telnyx.com/v2/ai/assistants/import`

Full API docs: https://developers.telnyx.com/api-reference/assistants/import-assistants-from-external-provider